Electrical engineering
ESA’s Electrical Engineering Department deals with a number of aspects of space disciplines and associated technologies at system and subsystem related to:
- end-to-end Radio Frequency (RF) systems for and techniques for the various space application domains
- security engineering
- earth observation instruments, telecommunications and navigation payloads and associated equipment and antennas
- user ground segment equipment and technologies for navigation, earth observation and telecom
- microwave and microelectronics technologies and components
- high accuracy time and frequency references and associated tools and techniques
- electromagnetics and wave interaction aspects
- Telemetry Tracking & Control transponders, Payload Data Transmission and associated system aspects
- on-board computers, memories, data handling for payloads and platforms
- on-board power systems (energy storage, power generation and management)
- Electro Magnetic Compatibility aspects and space environment
The Department provides essential technical support to all ESA programmes (Navigation, Earth Observation, Telecom, Science, and Exploration) and to the competitiveness of Member States industry through dedicated R&D programmes.
The electrical engineering activities are supported by a team of about 250 highly specialised people and a number of dedicated laboratories.